The Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation Center, a division of the Heart & Vascular Hospital at HackensackUMC, held the 13th annual awards ceremony to name the “Cardiac Rehab Persons of the Year.” The awards recognize the efforts of patients who have initiated the most significant changes to their risk factors for heart disease, including reducing body weight, managing hypertension and lipids, managing diabetes through diet and exercise, managing stress and staying optimistic.

The Barbara Bannan Rehabilitation Person of the Year Award was received by Peggy Ruh of Palisades Park. The Ed Wheat Rehabilitation Person of the Year Award was presented to Marty Hroncich of Oakland.

“We are very proud of the hard work and commitment by Marty and Peggy to become healthier individuals,” said Thomas P. Mahady, senior exercise physiologist, Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation Center. “While in cardiac rehabilitation, Marty improved his overall MET level by 2.5. During her time with us, Peggy was our cheerleader and always had encouraging words to say to other patients.”

Marty Hroncich began cardiac rehabilitation four months after having a heart attack. After his rehabilitation program ended, Marty kept his motivation going and joined a gym. He credits his change in lifestyle to the Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation Center.

“I cannot thank Pat and his staff enough for their help and guidance in teaching me how to live a healthier life,” said Marty Hroncich. “They really schooled me on how to eat healthy and taught me how to exercise, which I never did before. Since my heart attack, I have lost a total of 50 pounds.”

Peggy began cardiac rehabilitation three months after undergoing surgery to replace an aortic valve.

“When I first started, I didn’t know what to expect,” said Peggy Ruh. “But, the staff was very helpful and friendly. This is truly a wonderful place. The sad part was when I finished the program and I had to leave. I am continuing to practice what I learned, including working out in a gym three times a week.”

HackensackUMC is home to the Heart & Vascular Hospital, a state-of-the-art “hospital within a hospital.” This facility houses the latest equipment and programs, and integrates preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services, with a special focus on cardiovascular disease management and breakthrough research. Inpatients and outpatients are treated for all types of cardiac and vascular diseases, including heart problems, such as blocked arteries and irregular heartbeats, peripheral vascular disease and neurovascular diseases, such as stroke and aneurysm. For more information about the Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation Center, please visit www.hackensackUMC.org or call 551-996-3589.

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The Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation Center, a division of the Heart & Vascular Hospital at HackensackUMC, recently presented the “Cardiac Rehab Persons of the Year” awards. Pictured from left to right: Thomas P. Mahady, senior exercise physiologist, Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation Center at HackensackUMC; Marty Hroncich, recipient of the Ed Wheat Rehabilitation Person of the Year Award; Patricia Bannan, daughter of Barbara Bannan; and Peggy Ruh, recipient of the Barbara Bannan Rehabilitation Person of the Year Award.

About Hackensack University Medical Center

HackensackUMC, a nonprofit teaching and research hospital located in Bergen County, NJ, is the largest provider of inpatient and outpatient services in the state. Founded in 1888 as the county’s first hospital, it is the flagship hospital of Hackensack University Health Network, one of the largest health networks in the state comprised of 11,300 employees, 3,100 credentialed medical staff members and 1,697 hospital and nursing home beds. HackensackUMC was listed as the number one hospital in New Jersey in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospital rankings for 2014-15. It is one of the top 30 hospitals in the nation by receiving 11 national specialty rankings, including a national ranking for the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital in Neurology and Neurosurgery in the 2014-15 Best Children’s Hospitals. The children’s hospital is housed with the Donna A. Sanzari Women’s Hospital in the Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Women’s and Children’s Pavilion, which was designed with The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center, and was included on the Green Guide’s list of Top 10 Green Hospitals in the U.S. HackensackUMC is one of Healthgrades America's 50 Best Hospitals™ for nine years in a row, and received the Healthgrades Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence™ 13 years in a row. The medical center has also been named a Leapfrog Top Hospital, and received 23 Gold Seals of Approval™ by the Joint Commission – more than any other hospital in the country. It was the first hospital in New Jersey and second in the nation to become a Magnet® recognized hospital for nursing excellence; receiving its fifth consecutive designation in 2014. HackensackUMC is the Hometown Hospital of the New York Giants and the New York Red Bulls and was Official Medical Services Provider to The Barclays PGA Golf Tournament and the NY/NJ Super Bowl XLV111 Host Committee. It remains committed to its community through fundraising and community events. To learn more, visit: www.HackensackUMC.org.

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